Fred Erdhaus, Ex-Beverly Hills Official, Dies

Former Beverly Hills Recreation and Parks Director Fred J. Erdhaus died Jan. 13 in his West Hollywood home after a long bout with cancer. He was 71.

Erdhaus joined the city in 1952 and was assigned the task of establishing a new recreation and parks department. He is credited with forming the model for current city programs. He retired in 1975.

Erdhaus graduated in 1939 from the University of Arizona, where he earned 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball and swimming. He coached at Saint Monica High School and at Loyola Marymount University in the early 1940s.

After serving in the Navy during World War II, Erdhaus played professional football with the San Diego Bombers and was head coach of the Los Angeles Bulldogs professional football team in the Pacific Coast-Hawaii Pro League from 1946 to 1948. He coached at the University of Montana from 1949 to 1952.

Erdhaus is survived by his wife, Phyllis; a daughter, Judy Erdhaus Rubin of Gulfport, Fla.; two sons, John and Larry, both of Los Angeles, and two grandchildren.